Sport

Bloomfield: We can't keep relying on others

MATT Bloomfield said Wanderers have to stop relying on their relegation rivals dropping points if they're to pull away from danger.

Blues have only picked up one point from the last 15 available and only netted once in that time to slide back into trouble.

Their only saving grace during that run has been the fact sides around them at the foot of the League Two table have endured an equally tough time of things and Wanderers have just about managed to keep their heads above water.

But Blues fans were last night left to toast a goal scored by a player from another side, as Sammy Moore's goal for AFC Wimbledon deep into stoppage time at Northampton prevented the Cobblers from drawing level on points with Wanderers.

Bloomfield admitted that goal was a let-off as it means destiny is still in his team mates' hands.

But the fans' favourite said it was a stark warning that Blues are treading on thin ice and there will come a time when they have to halt their reliance on other teams slipping up.

Bloomfield said: "We have been [relying on other teams] these last couple of weeks because we haven't been picking up any points. It's up to us to change that.

"We are still ahead of them in the league table - it's up to us to achieve more points than them for the rest of the season. If we pick up the results we need to get, it doesn't matter what they do.

"We've had a little bit of luck tonight with AFC Wimbledon equalising in the last minute that's kept Northampton two points behind us. That's the way it goes.

"The last couple of weeks we've relied on them and their results but we have to make sure we do better than them to achieve the points we need to stay in the league. That's the be all and end all for us."

The long serving midfielder added: "The league table tells you everything you need to know. We are in a relegation scrap and we have to keep scrapping away, we have to keep fighting.

"This club deserves to stay in the Football League and we'll be doing everything we can to make sure we preserve that status.

"We've now got seven games with which we have to stay above the three teams that are below us currently. If we can do that, we'll stay in the league.

"We have to keep our heads up. There's seven games left, there's a lot to fight for and I'm certainly going to be doing my utmost, and I hope the boys will do as well."

Wanderers had looked to be heading in an upward direction after a six game unbeaten streak, but they're back on a downward trajectory with another winless run.

And Bloomfield is mystified why results have taken such a bad turn for the worse.

He said: "I don't think performances have really changed. We came away from the game on Saturday thinking we were equal to the team top of the league and lost. Again tonight, especially first half, we've equalled a team in the play offs and not come away with anything. I can't really put my finger on it.

"The obvious difference is we are not scoring enough. We need to keep our heads up, keep working hard and keep performance levels going.

"I'm not sure if heads are dropping. It's tough when you concede a goal and you try to fight back, but we've shown in other games this season we can come back and win."